Are you interested in purchasing a used car in the UK? If you are, then we’d like to recommend that you pay for a used car only after you have gotten detailed and concise information on the history and records of that car. One thing you should keep an eye out for is the insurance write-off category of the vehicle. Before getting that deal signed at a dealership, you need to be sure of just how safe and legal it is to drive the vehicle on public roads. In this article, we will discuss how to check car categories in the UK.
What is a vehicle insurance write-off?
When an insured car is involved in a serious accident in the UK, the insurance company estimates the damage sustained and decides if the vehicle should be repaired or written off (totaled). If repairs would cost up to 50 to 60% of the vehicle’s current market value, then it would most definitely be deemed a write-off. So, your vehicle has been deemed a write-off; what’s next? After considering the level of damage sustained and deeming the car a write-off (or total loss), the fair market value of the vehicle will be given to you as soon as possible, with the insurer gaining full possession of the vehicle.
A write-off on a vehicle informs users that the vehicle is unsafe to drive, even after repairs, and if you are a car buyer in the UK used car market, it is advisable to carry out a car category check before sealing any deal on a vehicle.
- Vehicle MOT check
- DVLA car tax check
- Car owner check UK
- MOT insurance checker
What are the insurance write-off categories?
What insurance category is my car? There are four major insurance write-off categories highlighting the extent of damages sustained by a vehicle. These categories basically tell you if a vehicle should be completely scrapped or sold for parts. They are:
- Category A
- Category B
- Category S (formerly known as Category C )
- Category N (formerly known as Category D)
Category A write-off
A Cat A write-off is a car that has no hope of being driven on the road again, and it cannot even be sold for parts. This means that if you stumble across a vehicle with this write-off, you have to run as fast as you can because you may have a completely irreparable vehicle on your hands. These vehicles have sustained severe damage to their chassis or body shell and can only be sold as scrap because they are no longer roadworthy.
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Category B write-off
When a vehicle has been issued a Cat B write-off, it means the vehicle has sustained serious damage to its chassis or body shell and other vehicle parts, but some parts can be salvaged and sold as parts to auto mechanics and other buyers in the market. Be aware that this doesn’t mean the vehicle is safe to drive on the road again. A Cat B write-off shows that a vehicle is not roadworthy and may only be sold for parts.
Category S write-off
A Cat S signifies that a vehicle has sustained structural damage, but, here’s the good part, it can be repaired and driven. This category, formerly referred to as Category C, is used to highlight a vehicle that could have damage to the frame or chassis of the car, bent or twisted frame rails, a damaged firewall or A-pillar, damage to the suspension components, a damaged or misaligned engine cradle, or any other structural damage.
Category N write-off
A Cat S signifies that a vehicle has sustained structural damage, but, here’s the good part, it can be repaired and driven. This category, formerly referred to as Category C, is used to highlight a vehicle that could have damage to the frame or chassis of the car, bent or twisted frame rails, a damaged firewall or A-pillar, damage to the suspension components, a damaged or misaligned engine cradle, or any other structural damage.
How To Check Car Category In The UK
Knowing how to check if a car is categorized is one of the first steps in purchasing a reliable vehicle in the UK. With these methods, you can easily find out if your car has an insurance write-off category or not. To check a vehicle’s category, you can:
- Check the V5C logbook
- Check the car’s history
- Check the car’s MOT history
- Inspect the car
- Check with an insurance company
Check the V5C logbook
The V5C logbook is a legal document that verifies the ownership of a car in the United Kingdom. It will also disclose the registration number, make, model, and year of manufacture of the vehicle. The log book may furthermore indicate whether the automobile has been previously written off and its classification. For class A vehicles, you may see “S” for salvage, which means the vehicle is not repairable and must be scrapped.
Check the car's history
A vehicle history report from a trustworthy car history provider such as SmartCarCheck can be used to verify the history of the car before purchase from a dealership or private seller. These reports will reveal whether the automobile has been in an accident and written off before and its classification. The report will also contain data on the vehicle’s prior proprietors, mileage, MOT history, and any other important information and records. With SmartCarCheck, you can find detailed information on a vehicle and verify if it is supposed to be scrapped or not.
ALSO READ: How To Check a Car’s History In The UK? Easiest Ways To Do So
Verify the car's MOT history
The MOT (Ministry of Transport) examination is a yearly inspection that every car over three years old must pass to guarantee its roadworthiness. The outcomes of the MOT examination are documented online, and the MOT history of a vehicle can be verified on the SmartCarCheck website and with the DVLA. The MOT history will demonstrate if the car has failed any examinations and if any warnings have been given. If the car failed an MOT examination due to structural damage, it may be an indicator that it has been previously written off.
Carry out a visual and mechanical inspection
If a used vehicle is being purchased, you must take care to have a good look at the vehicle before making that purchase. Look for any indications of damage or restoration work, such as mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps, or rust. If you are unsure about the vehicle’s condition, you can bring it to a professional mechanic to have a look at it and confirm its condition.
Check with an insurance company
If a used car is being purchased in the UK, it’s advisable to have an insurance company authenticate the vehicle’s write-off status. If the car has been written off before and is in a high category, the insurance company may decline to insure it, or the premiums may be extremely high.
With a full vehicle check, you can determine the overall reliability of a car before purchase and confirm if the car has been written off by an insurance company or not. This can help you verify the roadworthiness of your vehicle and make the right choices. Make sure to utilize the SmartCarCheck vehicle check tool today!
